We had a similiar incident when I was a kid where a deputy showed up to put one of our dogs down.We lived on a farm about 1 mile off 2 different highways and for some reason it was a dump for dogs people no longer wanted, theyd pull off the highway, throw thier dogs out, and drive off, somehow we wound up with most of these strays and would keep them.Once in awhile we would get one that was particuliarly mean or aggressive and either dad or myself would shoot them ourselves.We didnt have any mean ones on the place.
At the time we had something like 9 dogs living outside ranging from a big Huskie down to a little mutt that wieghed about 2 lbs and was older than dirt.Long story short a salesmen pulled into the yard one day and these dogs came out of everywhere and went to his car.Now I cant speak for anyone else but if I pull in a strangers yard and am immediately surrounded by a pack of dogs I either leave or wait for someone to come out.He didnt, he got out and started getting the stuff out of his car, near as I can tell the little 2 lb mutt either got underfoot or tried to get past him into the car and he tried to kick it.The dog nipped his ankle and he jumped in, drove away and called the cops before I could get my shoes on and get outside.
The deputy showed up the next day, was surrounded by dogs in his car etc... and waited untill dad went out to leave his car.He told him he was there to pick up the dogto be taken and euthanized for biting the moron the previous day.He looked around at all the dogs and asked one bit him, I had to go out and show them since I was the only one home the day before and hadnt told anyone it happened.
The deputy was kinda eyeing one of the bigger mixed breed dogs as the culprit and when I showed him the little one and told him what Id seen happen he just shook his head and laughed and agreed the salesmen was a moron.He told us to lock the little sucker up for a few days and watch her for signs of rabies and then let her back out if she seemed ok.The little mutt never even broke the skin apparently.
At no point in time was the officer going to shoot the dog himself.This was 20 years ago and even then they euthanized them humanely whenever possible.As far as the dog owner in this story if the deputy had tried to kill the dog in the yard we certainly wouldnt have tied it up for him or even called it over, the deputy would have been asked to leave the property or provide a court order for such a thing.If the dog was mean he would have been dead long before that and we would have done it.Cops have shot dogs around here before that were aggressive and bit people, they dont leave the body in the yard for the kids to see and they usually are able to catch them and take them to the humane society before it comes to that.
Somehow this story seems to violate everything Ive ever seen about dealing with animals, even dangerous ones.Kinda makes wonder if somethings been leftout or theres another side were not hearing, seriously something just seems very wrong with this one[:-]
Deputy Shoots Pet Dog
